Colleagues from the Center use many techniques in their work. For example, in addition to the Portage method of working with children, literally recently, many specialists of the Center have completed a course of remote early assistance, and this experience is also used in working with children and families. Collaboration and training in telecommuting early intervention takes place in conjunction with the Institute for Early Intervention, St. Petersburg. This allows each specialist to supervise three children remotely and is an excellent solution in conditions of forced isolation or when working with families with children with TMHR living in remote areas.
“The Portage system was also originally created so that specialists would come home to those who could not come to the center on their own. And when you can come to your home remotely – and this is even more progress ”- noted Nina Weddell, Manager of the Innovative Projects Program of the Diema’s Dream Foundation.
As the participants of the meeting explained, it is still impossible to conduct work with children with TMNR completely remotely. At least once a month, it is necessary to visit the child in person, because there are details that parents may not notice, and an experienced specialist will see and give his recommendations.
During the pandemic, both teams were able to continue conducting the classes and accompany the parents, who at home, following the set short-term and long-term goals, conducted classes with their children with TMHP.
We also discussed issues of reporting, data collection and project monitoring. Elena Volodina, Chairman of the Portage Association of Specialists and Director of Diema’s Dream Foundation, made an announcement of the events and told the Portage specialists about the goals and objectives of the Association.
Portage teams in Pskov employ some of the most experienced professionals in Russia, and the Center for Curative Pedagogy and Differentiated Education is the Federal Center for Working with Children with Severe and Multiple Developmental Disabilities (TMND) in Russia.
We are very proud to work with specialists in this region. First, there was one team in Pskov, then two, then several specialists were trained and became Portage trainers. And now they are consulting the pilot team Portage of the Bobrovsky orphanage. This is how it works!
We are glad to share a story about the Portage in Pskov.